I really appreciate all of the feedback I’ve gotten from everyone about the online workshops. It was really helpful! I’m still trying to figure out whether or not to have my workshops on Ning; or to have them on a blog that would have all of the class materials (you can read the class lessons there, watch the videos, and download the pdfs), a link to flickr for the group, and have the discussions through a yahoo group.
I’m torn on which way to go. Some people seem to love Ning, and some hate it. I’ve been working on a ning site, in case I decide to go that way, and I can see some drawbacks. To me, it seems confusing the way it’s organized. Especially because, as far as I can tell, there is no way to organize the photos for each workshop. So if I have 3 workshops happening at the same time, it’s basically a free for all with the photos all mixed up. Each person could have a folder, but there can’t be a folder for the workshops. So if I have a total of 200 students, for an example, there could be 200 folders of photos. It wouldn’t be easy to just see your classmate’s photos. If I’m wrong on this, speak up! But I searched through the ning help, and tried different things, and it doesn’t seem like there is a solution for this.
Also, there are the dreaded ads on the side unless I pay the premium membership fee. I understand the need for the ads, but they aren’t directed to any specific audience. While I was working on my site, I saw an ad (on my ning site) for a transexual singles dating site. I have absolutely nothing against transexuals or dating sites. Everyone wants to be loved! But what does that have to do with art workshops? If I had the workshops on my blog, there wouldn’t be that issue.
So, as you can see, I keep flip flopping. Some people want everything to be in one place, and I can see that. Others found Ning confusing, and don’t need everything to be all in one place. Personally, I like using yahoo groups for discussions because I get all of the e-mails without having to go to any site. And I can reply without going there. If I used flickr as a place to post photos, it would be super easy to organize because they would be right there, in the group. Plus, I could set up a widget so that the new pictures get posted to the workshop blog. And, I feel I could organize things in a clearer manner than on Ning. But, maybe I’m missing something?
As always, your thoughts are appreciated! And those of you who have taken Ning workshops, were they ways to organize the photos, or maybe that didn’t bother you . . .
Traci, I've taken workshops both ways. I prefer the yahoo discussion and web page for information.
Ning is okay but not my first choice.
thanks for asking.
Traci, I HATE Yahoo! And I like Ning but it is getting expensive taking classes on it. What ever you decide to do I will follow you. Good luck!
Ann, thanks for the input!
Vickie, what do you hate about yahoo groups? And why is it getting expensive taking classes on Ning? Is this something because of Ning? As far as I can tell, Ning has nothing to do with workshop prices.
when i took multiple classes from same teacher on ning-each was a seperate thing as far as pictures and discussions went
Donna, and where did you post your pictures for each workshop? As far as I can tell, they all go to the same "ning" and you can't have them for specific groups within the same network. Any by pictures, I mean the student's pictured of their work.
Once you get content on your page the google ads become directed at your content and less… offensive. The social aspect of Ning is what I really like about it, it gives the students the ability to share their work with others.
Ning is like a club when your looking for a scalpel. IT does the job but not as well. I've been looking at a software called moodle. It's open source and if you have some experience with websites and hosting it wouldn't be too hard to set it up. Most of the sites I see that use it are somewhat… clunky, but it's pretty customizable, and can be totally password protected. It's not as social as ning, but always hosted on your own domain.
I have noticed that a lot of instructors are charging higher prices on ning than I would have expected for an online class. While I think I deserve a fair wage for my work I don't think I should gouge the students either. I try and keep my prices lower and hope that the numbers of students will offset the lower cost. But then it makes me look like a bargain basement teacher verses premium content.
Hi Comfortable Shoes! Thanks for the input. Since I posted this, I decided to go with Ning for now. I figured out a way to organize the groups photos a little better (through some html)–but everyone will have to tag their photos for it to work.
I'll check out moodle for the future. I set up my own shopping cart using zen cart, so maybe I could do that too (in my free time . . . )
I have noticed that the online workshop prices are all over the place. But that's the same way for teaching in "real" life.
I might e-mail you with some questions. I still lots to set up on my ning, and of my pets are my only members as I get it all worked out. But you can check it out at tracibunkers.ning.com
I really like being able to start an online workshop at any time and go thru it at my own pace. I appreciate teachers who keep their workshops up for extended periods of time, like many months. It is so nice to leisurely be able to go thru a workshop when I have time and energy and then go back to it when I want to review a technique.
I find Yahoo kind of overwhelming so haven't joined much in the discussions of classes I have taken.
I really like videos that have ongoing explanation, comments, and discussion by the teacher as s/he is creating the piece. I find it distracting to have alot of music in the background – I guess I like listening to the teachers thought process. Kathy
Kathy, and everyone else, thanks so much for your input. I'm in the process of setting my ning network, as it's called. I decided to try it out there since I could have everything in one spot. Plus, I figured out a way to some what have the photos organized. And, I'm really excited to say I'm in the process of getting my first online workshop ready to go! I'm about half way done with the filming, and I'm editing the video for the first lesson right now! So stay tuned. I'm hoping to have it ready in a few weeks for people to start signing up. I'll post here on my blog when I'm ready to go. But you can also either sign up for my mailing list (sign up is in the right column of my blog, near the top, or on my web site at http://www.TraciBunkers.com), or follow me on twitter: I'm TraciBunkers.
Traci,
I have taken a few workshops on NIng and have found them to be OK and pretty easy to navigate..Have you looked at Suzi Blu's set up over there? She always has a lot going on and seems to keep things organized. I have never been a big fan of Yahoo…maybe just setting up a website kind of like "Dispatch From LA" does might be a good compromise…her online classes are my favorite because you can work at your own pace and her videos are very well done. You feel like you get a lot for your $$$. I am in wherever you wind up!